Victorious Vaca

Vacation (noun): an extended period of consuming copious amounts of food……oh and a (insert amazing landmark).  

vāˈkāSH(ə)n,vəˈkāSH(ə)n/

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That description was my own personal rendition, but often times going on vacation is associated with the freedom of eating “bad foods”.

The aftermath: you find yourself back home, your jeans are a little more snug and you are overwhelmed with a sense of guilt.   I myself haver certainly gone overboard, but maybe if we changed our mentality of “all or nothing” we might find more success.  The all or nothing mentality can be described two ways.   You choose to eat extremely healthy and avoid all “bad foods”, or you indulge in “bad foods” and avoid healthy food.  PLOT TWIST: there can be a happy medium!  Finding a middle ground can ease you back into a healthy routine when you get back home from your vaca.  Here are my tips for not going overboard!

 

1. BYOB….Bring your own breakfast.

 

Breakfast is one of the easiest meals to prepare in my opinion.  Packing some steel cut oats, fruit, or even some turkey bacon makes for a nutritious breakfast without all the added calories that you find in a restaurant breakfast combo.  If you are not staying somewhere with a kitchen, my go to is RX bars.  They have all natural ingredients and a variety of flavors to choose from.  Providing your own breakfast will save money and allow you to spend it elsewhere!

 

 

2. Sharing is caring.

Realistically, you might go out to eat at least once.  If that is the case, try sharing different dishes instead of ordering an individual entree to yourself.  By splitting a dish in half you are less likely to overeat and can sense when you begin to feel full.  This is great for portion control!  Plus, you might find a new favorite dish while sharing the culinary experience with a friend or family member!

 

 

3. Small plate magic trick.

When I try to avoid overeating I ask the waitress to put my entree on a smaller plate.  My plate looks fuller, which tricks my body into thinking it’s getting more food.  Even though it is the same amount, I end up eating half and taking the other half home since it feels like I am eating more.  This illusion is definitely worth giving a try if you’re trying to avoid overeating.

 

 

4. Sweet Substitute.

The sweet tooth is real when it comes to vacation.  Whenever I am craving something sweet I try to have a healthy alternative on hand.  If your searching the menu for a healthy option check to see if the restaurant has some sort of fruit.  There is still a lot of sugar in fruit, but it will be more beneficial than eating a carb loaded cupcake or piece of cheesecake.  Another substitution would be dark chocolate.  I normally buy the 80-90% dark cacao bar and eat a small portion (2 squares).  The dark chocolate can be a little bitter but melt it over half a banana with a sprinkle of cinnamon and you have yourself a sweet alternative.  Finding substitutions can be fun, find what works for you!

 

Again, if you want a cupcake have a cupcake.  If you decide that is what you want to treat yourself, enjoy the cupcake and be aware of the rest of your meals that day.  Maybe you choose a light lunch, half of a chicken entree and then go for the cupcake.  Or maybe you have a burger, but you don’t eat the bun. It’s all about balance.  These tips are just a few that have helped me focus on portion control and have eliminated the continued bad habits after coming home from vacation.  Don’t be afraid to treat yourself, but remember to  feed your body nutrients that do not leave you feeling sluggish when you come home.  Finding that happy medium is the key!

 

XOXO

-The Mod Maven

 

 

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